Why do you need to run without a phone? Phones aren't that heavy and devices can be significantly cheaper and smaller if they don't need a GPS chip and music storage (smaller battery).
I stopped using my Garmin watch since I have a fitbit charge and find that measurements via phone are surprisingly accurate. In cities, pure GPS watches often lose signal (buildings, tunnels), phones can track much more accurately there.
I use my Garmin because I track heartrate when running and the Charge HR - whilst surprisingly accurate for step counting and distance and resting HR - is woeful when trying to track HR during exercise.
(Also for cycling with a variety of ANT+ sensors.)
I stopped using my Garmin watch since I have a fitbit charge and find that measurements via phone are surprisingly accurate. In cities, pure GPS watches often lose signal (buildings, tunnels), phones can track much more accurately there.